The Billionaire's Secret Life (Rosesson Brothers Book 4) Read online

  Bronx shuffled to catch up to him as they filed through the plain white doors into the clerk’s office, grabbing his elbow. “What did the rabbi say to the bride?”

  Talon smiled in anticipation of what was sure to be a miserable punch line. “I don’t know, what did he say?”

  “‘I was at your groom’s bris. Run while you still can!’” Bronx raised his hands two feet apart and widened his eyes in horror.

  A moan came from behind Bronx as Eme put her hands against Bronx’s back and urged him forward. “That sucked. And if you think a big dick would make any woman change her mind, you really don’t know much about us at all.”

  Bronx turned to tuck Eme under his arm. “True. It didn’t stop you from snagging me, now did it?”

  The couple laughed and Talon couldn’t help but join in. How lucky was he, to have found this incredible family just when he needed it? He glanced at his younger brothers. They were going to have a much better adolescence than Talon had, he would make sure of it.

  Eric and Greg lived with him and Crystal full-time now. He’d successfully petitioned for guardianship so his mother could never reclaim them, never use them as pawns to get to Talon’s newfound wealth. Greg had consistent access to the medications he needed to manage his many challenges, and Eric was finally able to be a kid instead of Greg’s reluctant babysitter.

  Yep, life was looking pretty damn good. Talon took Crystal’s hand and didn’t let go again until the two of them led the whole unruly crew out to the front steps of the courthouse, now one piece of very special paper richer.

  “Thanks for coming today, everyone. Crystal and I couldn’t be happier. So, I guess we’ll see you all soon?”

  “Sooner than you think. I reserved a private room at The Silverton for lunch. They’re expecting us in fifteen minutes.”

  ***

  As they entered the restaurant, Talon found himself choked with emotion and squeezing Crystal’s hand in his. The room was decorated with twinkling lights, the tables draped in the finest linens and set with the restaurant’s best dinner dishes. A party for a Rosesson.

  One glance at his fian- no, his wife - showed that she was similarly overcome. Between her mother’s death and her father’s incarceration, not to mention her brother’s slow recovery of his health after being abducted and nearly starved to death, Crystal’s life the last several months had been one hard hit after another. She deserved this time to let loose and focus on her own happiness.

  A decadent four-course lunch was followed by a champagne toast and surprise wedding cake. Someone had even gone to the trouble of finding a topper with the bride and groom riding a motorcycle.

  “You guys! It’s perfect!” Crystal’s eyes filled with tears that threatened to spill over until Talon pulled her close and kissed them into laughter. They cut the cake together and served it to their motley family, everyone smiling and going back for seconds.

  After he’d finished off only one piece of cake, Bronx had to leave to return to the firehouse; he’d only been able to find someone to cover part of his shift. Jaze and Rams took Greg and Eric back to Talon’s house, promising they’d see to the boys’ homework. Crystal, Eme, and Mica were laughing at one end of the table when Knox sat down next to Talon. The edge was back in his eyes, setting Talon’s antennae on alert.

  “Daxton said to tell you he wishes he could have been here. He’s chasing down leads on Bailey in Oregon. I called him two days ago to tell him to leave it, get his ass home for this, but he said he couldn’t. Said he thinks he’s getting close.”

  Talon nodded thoughtfully. He’d known it had to have been something like that to keep Dax away. Dick Bailey had been Mica’s adoptive father years ago and convinced her that she owed him cash for her care. Since her escape, he had hunted her, determined to hurt her and the family who had now welcomed her into their fold. He’d been silent for months, but they all knew that wouldn’t last.

  “Why do you sound worried?”

  Knox sighed. “He’s gone dark, not answering my calls or texts. It happens. I’m not worried yet. But Mica and I leave the day after tomorrow for two weeks in Seattle. I need someone I can trust at home to help Dax if he calls in.”

  “You got it, Knox. Of course. I’ll help in any way I can. Fill me in.” Talon had been so wrapped up in the day-to-day, paying jobs Alpha Security had him on, he’d neglected the personal vendetta hanging over his brother’s family like a dark cloud.

  That wasn’t a mistake Talon had any interest in repeating. After seeing how a man with a long-held grudge fucked up Crystal and Jaze’s family, no way was he going to let the same thing happen to the Rosessons. Not on his goddamn watch.

  “Bailey’s been running with white supremacist groups again. We’re pretty sure he’s just using them for crowd cover, because he doesn’t seem to be leading them like he used to. He’s keeping a much lower profile, and that worries me. Makes me think he’s working on something behind the scenes.”

  Knox’s voice was a frustrated grumble. It had become clear months ago, when Dick Bailey attacked Mica at a public event, that he would stop at nothing to get his revenge. He would even risk killing innocent bystanders if it served his purpose. Everyone involved considered it a matter of when, not if, Bailey struck again.

  “You still think he’ll hit your wedding?”

  “It makes sense, doesn’t it? It’s been in all the society papers; famously unattached billionaire marrying acclaimed fashion designer. He’s got to know it’s happening.” Knox furrowed his forehead in thought… and worry.

  “It’s the perfect opportunity. Lots of strangers to blend in with. Catering, photographers, musicians; I’m guessing you’re vetting them pretty hard?” Talon sipped his champagne and thought of all the cracks in their event planning that could be exploited.

  “I’m not only doing background checks, I’m paying them to freeze hiring between now and the wedding. We may have to do this big wedding for the sake of expectations, but I’m not fucking around and giving him an easy in.

  “But he’s going to know we’ll expect that. If I were him, I’d go in just before the wedding, keep the element of surprise. But how long before? A week? A couple of days? I’d rather catch the fucker before he gets that close.”

  Talon nodded his head. “Agreed. It’d be nice if we could get Phoenix on this. Wasn’t he an intelligence specialist in the Corps?”

  Knox’s jaw flexed at the mention of his youngest brother. “The best, if you listen to his buddies tell it. Too bad they drummed him out. Now I can’t get him to stop drinking and fighting long enough to even listen to me. I don’t know what to do about him, man.”

  Talon thought back to the days after his busted leg forced him out of the military. He’d felt lower than shit, with an attitude to match. “Give him time, Knox. His whole world just got thrown out of whack. He needs to come to terms with what his life is going to be now.”

  “Well, from this angle it looks like it’s going to be alcoholism and jail time. I’m not okay with standing back and watching that happen to my brother. Anyway, I’ll come up with something. As soon as Mica and I get back from this trip, I’ll find him and try again.” Talon could see the concern in Knox’s eyes. He knew he’d feel the same if Eric or Greg was in the kind of trouble that Phoenix apparently was.

  “He’ll come around, Knox. Don’t worry. I’ll do what I can to help Dax out if he needs it, and I’ll keep my ear to the ground at the office. If Dax makes a move, I’ll let you know.”

  “That’s what I was hoping for, Talon. Nobody I’d rather have watching one brother than another one. I’m glad you’re here, man. And congratulations on you and Crystal.”

  As if saying her name had conjured the woman, Talon looked up to see Crystal hugging Eme and Mica goodbye. As she turned to focus on him he saw the same fiery determination in her eyes that had stolen his heart years ago. Talon felt his cock twitch at the thought of the fierceness with which they loved each other. It was beyond time to
get his bride alone. Honeymoon sex and all that. Their actual honeymoon would wait a little while longer, but neither of them had been able to wait on the wedding.

  “Bronx and Eme are taking the boys out to dinner tonight, then sleeping over. So it looks like I’ve got you all to myself for the night.” A wicked smile curved her lips as Crystal stepped behind Talon and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, biting his neck with her hot mouth and making him gasp.

  “And on that note, I’ve got a check to write. Congratulations, you two. Try not to break each other.” Knox joined Mica and Eme at the door, chuckling as they left. Talon could barely hear for the blood rushing through his ears and heart as he claimed his wife’s mouth.

  Chapter 3

  “I’ve been what?” Dan’s eyes widened as they met Kate’s. Was she putting him on? “Like, with a bullet?”

  “Yes, with a bullet. Small caliber, probably a twenty-two. You still have most of your blood, so it didn’t hit the brachial artery, and the fact that you can move that arm at all means it probably missed the bone. Hopefully, it did not cause a lot of damage, but we need to immobilize it and get you to the hospital to get checked out.”

  Dan’s eyebrows were knitted together. “Yeah, okay. So, what, do you think someone shot me while they were out hunting?”

  He looked at Kate, pleading silently with her to confirm his guess. Because if it wasn’t a simple hunting accident, then what on earth kind of life did he have?

  Pitying green eyes looked back at him. She shook her head of mahogany curls and gave a cynical smirk. “No hunting allowed in the national forest at this time of year. Sorry.”

  “The what?” He was stunned to realize he had no idea where he was.

  “The Malheur National Forest. South Oregon?” Kate’s eyebrows were raised in concern. “Oh shit, you really have no idea, do you?”

  She blinked, seeming to realize what she’d blurted. “I mean, it’s okay, chances are your memory will return. I’ve just never met anyone with amnesia before, and I’ve been a paramedic for years.”

  Dan puffed up his cheeks and blew the breath out slowly, liking the way it focused him. Amnesia? Hearing the word said aloud rocked him, made him realize just what he was up against. He thought only people in B movies got amnesia, but apparently it was a real thing.

  The thought flashed through his head that even Kate could be involved in whatever had happened to him, but his instinct squashed it almost immediately. From the first moment he’d opened his eyes, she’d done nothing but help and keep him calm. He knew people… or, at least, he thought he did. His instincts told him she’d had nothing to do with it.

  No, something very strange was going on here. And the first step to figuring it out was trusting this woman to help him.

  “So, how do we immobilize the arm, and how far to the hospital?” Dan looked up at Kate and determinedly put himself in her apparently capable hands.

  “There’s got to be a hospital nearby that can handle this, or, if you’re up for a drive, I could take you to the one where I know people. Might make the ordeal a little easier if you have an in.”

  Dan didn’t even blink. “Whatever you think is best.”

  Kate nodded briskly. “Alright, then. Let’s get that arm still.”

  It was a painful, slow process. First Kate had to help him sit up and get his jacket the rest of the way off. He had to stop and breathe through the pain more than once. Then, she checked all the pockets in the jacket, hoping for a phone or some other clue, but no such luck.

  Her eyes met his. “Seriously, nothing? What are you, some kind of secret agent or something?”

  “007, at your service,” Dan deadpanned, in too much pain to smile. “I was probably foiling a plot to blow up the country when I slipped and hit my head.”

  Kate clucked her tongue and smiled mischievously at him, her green eyes twinkling. “Next time tell Q to slip a flashlight in your pocket, James.”

  Dan gave his head a small shake. “Full moon coming up. Plenty of visibility.”

  Even as he made the statement, he wondered how he knew it was true. But something deep in his brain insisted that he’d been outfitted last night exactly the way he’d meant to be. Outfitted? By who? For what?

  Kate was too distracted to notice, fashioning a makeshift sling from the leather jacket. She used it to awkwardly tie Dan’s arm to his side, keeping it immobile and relieving some of the weight on his sore shoulder.

  Once his arm felt secure and the waves of pain from positioning it had passed, Kate squatted down next to him and looked closely at his face. “Are you feeling dizzy? Nauseous? Seeing double?”

  Dan gazed back, feeling strangely energized. “No. I was nauseous for a second there when you tightened the sling, but it passed.”

  “You think you could try standing up? If it doesn’t work, that’s okay, I’ll just run to the trailhead and call help. But if you can walk, we’ll get out of here faster.”

  Her concerned eyes never left his, and he had the sense that she was making sure he considered his answer carefully. She probably saw way too many patients who insisted they were fine and then went down hard, making her job twice as difficult as it had to be. Dan took a moment to tune in to his body and make sure he wasn’t going to do the same.

  “I think I’m okay. Let’s go slow, though, just in case.” He held his hand out for her to help him up, and the smile that lit up her face was enough to bring one to his, as well. Who was this angel of sunshine who’d found him, and how could he keep her from disappearing?

  “Alley-oop!”

  Kate hoisted as Dan pushed with his legs, leveraging himself to standing. His legs felt sore and stiff, but there was no dizziness or vision problems.

  “Still feeling okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m good. Let’s blow this joint.” Dan gestured with his good arm for Kate to lead the way, pulling the gesture when it made his vision swim for just a moment. Molly rushed ahead of them both, barking and dancing on her long legs as she turned to be sure they followed.

  “Okay, let’s do it. You go first.” Kate mimicked his small gesture, waiting for him to step ahead of her. Dan’s confusion must have shone on his face, because she sighed and put her hand on her cocked hip. “I need to keep an eye on you. If you do pass out, I don’t want my first clue to be the sound of you sliding down the ravine behind me.”

  Dan squared off to argue with her, but the searing pain in his shoulder stopped him. Maybe she had a point after all. He started following Molly at a slow, careful pace.

  The weight of all his unanswered questions began to settle on him. He couldn’t help but voice one. “How long do you think I’ve been out here?”

  Kate’s voice rang out behind him, clear and confident. “Not long, I think. Your face has less than a day’s growth, and your bullet wound is still clean. Plus, it’s Monday, which means yesterday was Sunday and these woods were full of hikers and their dogs. If you’d been out there then I think you’d have been found already. I’m guessing this happened to you last night.”

  “Makes sense. But why would I be out here at night, no phone, no wallet, with a wad of cash? I can’t think of any reason that isn’t an ugly one. Maybe I am a secret agent.” His voice was a bitter mumble. What the fuck was going on? Who was he that this was the kind of situation his choices would yield?

  “Ooo, what if you’re a drug dealer? You had a meet out here and it went wrong; you tried to stiff ’em and they took a shot at you?”

  Dan took the scenario and ran with it, happy to have something to joke about for the moment. “Now, why are you making me a mediocre fuck-up? What if I’m an assassin, but the person I brought out here to kill got the drop on me, shot me, and got away? I could be a colossal fuck-up.”

  “Oh yeah, that makes way more sense.” Dan could hear the smile in Kate’s voice as she played along. “’Cause an invisible assassin-type would clearly carry a money clip with his initial on it.”

  “Maybe it stands fo
r ‘Death’.” Kate laughed outright at that, and he couldn’t stop the grin that split his face at the sound. Then her tone sobered.

  “Well, we are right on the edge of federal land. Maybe you were somewhere else and wandered into the park without knowing? Not that it helps, since some of the people who live out there are on the fringe.”

  Dan’s head was starting to hurt with all the thoughts spiraling inside. He slowed his pace and decided to change subjects. “So, what were you doing out here?”

  There was a pause behind him. Dan stopped abruptly, ignoring the throb in his head, and turned to look at Kate’s face. She glanced up in surprise, eyes wide, as if his attention surprised her. “Oh, I just needed to get out of the house.”

  Dan glanced at her hands and noted the lack of jewelry. “Boyfriend troubles?”

  She barked out a laugh in response, then made a shooing motion with her hands to get him moving again. “Subtle. I actually live with four men - well, three now - and sometimes I overdose on the testosterone.”

  Dan stopped again and turned, his eyebrows practically touching his hairline, and waited. Almost immediately, Kate’s face broke into a smile and she giggled. “My dad and brothers. They’re a lot to handle, especially since I’m the only girl. Sometimes they forget I’m a grown woman who doesn’t need whatever help they’ve decided to give.”

  Happy to have conversation to relieve his pain, Dan laughed without moving his shoulders. “I may not be able to remember my name, but I remember we men are clueless bastards when it comes to women. So where’s your mom?”

  “Dead.” She said it carefully, but casually, as if she felt more awkward than sad. “Years ago. Car accident when I was little. I barely even remember her. Keep moving.”

  Sympathy seemed out of place, given her attitude, so Dan turned and walked on. Molly was ten feet ahead and looking back at him, tongue lolling from her mouth, little brambles sticking to it. As he reached her and stepped through a thicket of bushes, he found himself on a clear but muddy path. “Which way?”